Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital is heading up a project designed to get parents to "cotton on" to reusable nappies.

The Cotton on to Cotton Nappies scheme is run by community learning charity ContinYou, in conjunction with Warwickshire County Council and the Nuneaton hospital.

The project is one of the first of its kind in the country and aims to encourage parents to use cotton nappies instead of disposable ones in an effort to help reduce the amount of disposable nappies going to Warwickshire landfill sites by 2,250 tonnes.

Liza Griffiths, of ContinYou, co-ordinating the project and acting as nappy officer for the hospital's maternity unit, said: "Cotton nappies are also a good economic choice for parents.

"From birth to potty the average total cost of disposable nappies for one baby is about £1,000, compared to £250 for cotton nappies.

"And, of course, they can be used again for the next baby."

Cotton on to Cotton Nappies is based at George Eliot Hospital Maternity Unit because there is evidence if parents are introduced to using cotton nappies in hospital they are more likely to continue to use them.

Kay Hawker, head of midwifery at the hospital, said: "We are all really excited about the project here.

"It's important that our new parents realise that these nappies are just as effective and user-friendly as disposable ones."

There are hopes it will be rolled out to other hospitals in the county.